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Sept. 2, 1924. v 1,507,2132

A. L. RUTHVEN SIMPLEX TRAIN CONTROL Filed June 26, 1922 gnvenkw:

firm nag KRF THY Q Pam-.1 Sept. 2, 1924.

UNITED STATES PATENT F IC man-n L. :aurnvmr, or nocnnsrnn, m 19 x I Ismrnsx mm correct. 7 Application meanin as, 1922. Serial in. 571,068.

To all whomz't may concern:

Be it known that I, ALFRED L. RUTHVEN, a citizen of United States,residing at Rochester, in the county of Monroe and State of New York,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Simplex TrainControls, of which the following is a specification, reference being-hadtherein to t e accompanying drawing.

The present invention relates to train con-' trolling a paratus, andaims to provide a novel an improved intermittent contact type of controlusing a ramp for controlling a vehicle circuit and breaking and closingsaid circuit for obtaining the controlling conditions in the vehicleequipment.

Another object is the provision of a ramp over which a vehicle carriedshoe is movable, for the control of the vehiclecircuit, and bridgingmeans between the ramp and track for the control of said circuit, withthe source of energy for the circuit on the vehicle, and said circuitnot requiring a source of energy for the track.

' A further object is the provision of an intermittent electricalcontact type of apparatus wherein the insulated joints are provided inthe ramps and not in the rails of V the track tor, controlling thevehicle circuit.

A still further object is the provision of novel means for mounting andoperating the contact shoe.

Another object-is the -prgwision of novel means for maintainin apredetermined con-' dition through a bloc between controlling stations,suc as a. caution condition or retarded speed, and for removingor'eliminat-.

ing such conditioni when leavingflt'he block and entering the-nextblock.

With .the foreggaing and other ob'ects in? view, which will apparent asthe, escripf tion proceeds, the invention resides in the. constructionand arrangement of parts, as hereinafter described and claiined," it.being understood that changes can be -made within the scope of what isclaimed, without departing from the spiritof. the invention;

. The mventionis illustrated inthe accomsimying drawing, whereinthefigure is a agrammatical view of the "improved apparatus.

A ramp is provided at each controlling station or point of the trackatone side of 'a rail Sifthetrack, and said ramp is com of the inclinedend section 9, the inter;

posed joints 12 bebeing provided for controlling said switches.

The switches closeautomatically when the magnets are deenergized, sothat all of the sections of the ram are thereby in elec-' tricalconnection wit the rail 8a The control of the vehicle. equipment isobtained by the opening and closing of the switches 14, without requir'the road bedor wayside, and the magnets 15 cant be suitably connected inthe signal circm s.

ried by the lower end 0 a stem 17 de nding from a piston 18 we king in ac der 19.v A partition or disk is see in the cylinder above the iston,for defining the c cylinder19; is secured to struck 21 of the locomotiveor other vehicle, and is insulated therefrom, and a cap orhousing 22 issecured on the upper end of the cylinder to enclose the: wor partsunderneath. A ipe 23 isconnecte to' the housing 22 and ends from the airbrake pipe or line of the vehicle, for supplyin air. under'pressureintothe housing for epressing the shoe 16.

"The piston 18 has a rod 24 u tending therefrom and slidable through t epartition 20,; 95

and'there is a passage 25 exten from the up r .,endof the rod 24 Ion 'tually throng said rod, baton-'18 an stem .17. saidiigpass'a exten s into.thefshoe 16 and is directed ack through the stem and piston into therod 24 toopen into the chamber between theapiston 18 and partition29.One end of sai passage communicates with said a source of current on Thecontact shoe 16 which'rides over the. ramp in passing a controllingstation'is caramber injwhich t e piston moves. The

chamber above the piston, and the other end oithe passagecommunicates'with the chamlber above the partition under thehousing 22.

An upwardly directed tube 27 is to the upper end of therod 24incommunica tion with the passage 25 through which the air flows. The airin paging through the passage 25 into the space tween the. piston lotswhich a spring-seated valve 29 is disposed,

- dead, the switch will again open, and there 18 and partition 20 willforce said piston down, thereby depressing the shoe 16. The

shoe can ride upwardly on the inclined end portions of the ramps, whichwill raise the piston 18 and force the air back from the space betweenthe piston 18 and partition 20, and the air pressure in saidspace willhold the shoe down on the ramp with a good contact. Furthermore,inasmuch as the passage 25 extends into the shoe 16, should the shoe bebroken oii by accidental contact with an obstruction, the air can escapefrom the pipe 23 through the passage 25 to the atmosphere, and this willbleed the train line or pipe for. automatically applying the air brakes.

In order that the sudden upward movement of the shoe 16 and piston 18,when the vehicle passes the ramp at a high rate of speed, is notrestricted by the limited flow of air reversely through the passage 25,the partition 20 is provided with a port 28 over said valve normallyclosing said port and only opening when thepressure of-air between thepiston 18 and'partition 20 is excessive, in which event the valve 29 isforced open for'the more rapid passage of air from the space between thepiston18 and partition 20. However, the valve being seatedby a spring,or the like, will compel part of the air, at least, to flow back throughthe pas-- When the magnet is deenergized and the switch 30 releasedcaution or similar condi tlOllS'flIG established through suitablemechanism (not shown), and the releasing of said switch indicatescaution condition or control. A vane or wing 33, preferably of invertedcup shape, -.is connected to the switch-30 and moves downwardly towardthe tube 27 when the switch 30 is opened, so that when the shoe 16 rideson the ramp to raise the piston 18, the air which is forced back'throughthe passage 25 discharges from the tube27 in a stream or gust directedto ward the vane 33 to raise said vane and close the switch 30, in orderthat if the magnet 32 is energized, said switch will stick against thecontact 31. Otherwise, if caution control is to be maintained and themagnet 32 is being no mechanical connectionbetween the tube 27 and vane33, said vane can drop down toward the tube even when the shoe is inraised position. Thus, ,the raising of the shoe when passing on a rampproduces a gust of air from the tube 27' for raising the vane 33 andclosing the switch 30, so that said switch is either held closed by themagnet 32 when energized or will again open if the magnet is dead.

An electrical responsive device 34, illustrated as a solenoid,isdisposed in the vehicle controlling circuit, and said circuit includesthe conductor 35 connecting the solenoid 34 and the generator 36 orother source of electrical current, a conductor 37 connecting thegenerator and a leaf spring switch 38 bearing on a contact 39 under thehousing 22, conductor40 connecting said contact and an electromagnet 41,and a conductor 42 connecting said magnet 41 and solenoid 34. a

This circuit is normally closed between controlling stations, .by thespring switch 38 bearing on the contact 39, for keeping the solenoid 34energized. I

When passing a controlling station w th the shoe 16 moving on the ramp,the switch 38 is opened thereby placing the control of the vehiclecircuit on the track apparatus. Thus, a finger 60 is carried b the upperend of the rod 24 to contact wit and raise the switch 38 when the shoe16 rides onto the ramp, for openin the switch 38 away from i the contact39. aid switch, by contact with the finger 60, is now electricallyconnected with the shoe 16, and the conductors 40 and 42 and magnet 41become dead, and a conductor 61 connects the solenoid 34 with the truck21, whereby the circuit of the solenoid 34 must now be closed betweenthe shoe 16 and truck 21 to keep the solenoid energized, when the shoeis riding on the ramp. If'the switches 14 are closed all parts of theramp are connected to the rail 8, and the circuit will remain closed,but if the switches 14 are open, the'circuit-is interrupted one or moretimes depending open. Thus, with t e shoe 16 on the ramp and the finger60 raising the switch 38 off of the contact 39, the circuit of thesolenoid 34 includes the conductor 35, generator 36,

conductor 37 switch 38, finger 60, shoe 16,

ramp 7, bridging means between the rampand rail 8, the rall 8, truck 21and conductor 61. Thus, if the shoe 16*is on the ramp section 9 with thecorresgondin switch open, said circuit is opene to eenergize thesolenoid 34, and when the shoe .16 is on the ramp section 10 the circuitis closed in any event 'by the permanent bridge 13,

whereas when the shoe is on the ramp section 11 with; the corresponding"switch 14 open, thecircuit is again opened. In this way, the circuitcan be broken or o ened one or-"more times for producing. erent upon thenumber of bridging switches which are controlling conditions insuccession or progressively.

Whenever the shoe rides onto a ramp, the switch 38 being raised willopen the circuit of the magent 41, and this can be used for producing adanger condition whenever passing a controlling. station. Thus, the

magnet 41 supports a stick armature, 43,

if the circuit of the solenoid 34 is properly controlled, when assingthe. ramp, the core 44 of the solenoid is connected to a lever 45carryin a pawl 46 for advancing a ratchet wheel 4 step by step. A.ick-up rod 48 is connected to a pin 49 carrie by the wheel 47 and has ahook 49'- under the armature 43 on.

which the armature drops when released, and when the ratchet wheel 47 isturned, the

7 rod 48 lifts the armature 43 back into attractive relation with themagnet 41. In this way, the danger condition reduced by the release ofthe armature 43 w en the shoe 16 moves on the ramp, can be avoided bythe movement of the ratchet wheel 47 to raise the armature 43. Thearrangement .is preferably such that one step of. the wheel 47 will movethe armature 43 sufiiciently close to the magnet 41 for the attractionof the armature to the ma et, although the rod 48v can move further i{another step. .1.: v

The first step 'ofthe ratchet wheel 47 is used, in the arrangementshown, for obtaining a caution controlling condition, by

the deenergization of the magnet 32. Thus,-

a conductor 50 connects the generator co ductor37 and one terminal ofthe magnet 32,. g and the other terminal I of the magnet is con- "nectedtothe switch 30. The contact 31 is connected by a conductor 51 with acontact ,52 hearing against the wheel 47, and said wheel'is connected bya conductor '53 with the generator conductor 35, to complete thecircuitof the magnet 32, which includes the generator 36, conductor 37,-conductor 50, magnet 32, switch 30, contact 31, conductor 51, contact52, wheel 47, and conductors 53 and 35. The wheel 47 has an insulatingsegment 54 which moves against the contact advanced one step,

52 when the wheel 47 is thus breaking the circuit of the magnet 32 andreleasing the switch 30, and the'switch 30 moving away from the contact31 pro vents said circuit from being closed even though the wheel 47 isreturned. This will maintain caution controlling conditions unless themagnet 32 is otherwise energized the ratchet wheel is advancedisreturned tonormal or the switch30 restored withthe contact 52electrically connected with the wheel 47.

If running under caution control with the wheel 47 restored ti) normalposition (which can be accomplished by any suitable mechanism notshown), the movement of the shoe 16 onto the ramp when leaving the blockand entering the next block, will result in the stream of airdischarging from the tube 27 against the vane 33 closing the switch 30,and when said switch engages the contact 31,

the circuit of the magnet 32 is a 'ain closed and the switch is heldclosed. I however, when the shoe moves on the ramp, the ratchet wheel 47is advanced one step so that the insulation 54 breaks the circuitbetween.-

the contact 52 and wheel 47, even though the switch 30 is closed by thegust of airagainst the vane 33, said switch'will not remain closed but,will immediately swin open again to maintain the caution contro in thenext block which is being entered.

- In order to obtain clear con the ratchet wheel 47 is advanced a.second step, by the successive breaking or opening. 1 of the'circuit ofthe solenoid 34, when passitions when ing a ramp, a switch 55iscontro'lled by the wheel 47 and is connected to the conductor '53. Acontact 56 is engaged bysaid switch when the switch is moved by thesecond step of the wheel, and the contact 56 is connected by a conductor57 with the terminal of the magnet 32 between said magnet and switch 30.The switch 55 has an arm 58 to be engaged by the pin 49 of the wheel 47when the wheel is advanced the second step,

whereby to swing said arm and close the switch 55 against the contact56. In this case, the switch 55xand conductor 57 will shunt the wheel47, contact 52,-conductor '51 and switch 30, and the'circuit of themagnet 32 is' closed by wa of such shunt in or- 'der to reenergize saimagnet and attract the switch 30 to close said switch and hold it closeduntil the wheel 47 is restored in passing the ramp. Such circuitincludes the generator 36, conductor 37, conductor 50, magnet 32,conductor 57, contact 56, switch 55 and conductors 53 and 35.

The magnet 32 is energized until the switch 55 is opened, and saidswitch is opened when the wheel 47 is restored, by means of a pin 59carried by the wheel and striking the arm 58 when the wheel 47 osition.The switch- 55 is therefore opene but the contact 52 47, Clearconditions are-thus restored, but only when the apparatus has properlyfunctioned after the danger condition having been produced the momentthe shoe moves on the ramp. 7

' ditions of control, namely, clear, caution and danger. These areobtained b the simple control of the switches 14.

nal from the way-side apparatus or by the failure of such way-sideequipment, a

' danger signal or condition is given in the vetion in the vehicleequipment.

- Danger With both switches 14 closed, either intentionally-or by thefailure of the track equipment, danger conditions exist. Thus,

. when the shoe 16 rides on the ramp, with the switch 38 opened,todeenergize the magnetv 41, the shoe 16 and truck 21 are electricallyconnected by the ramp and bridging means between the ramp 7 and rail 8,thereby keep- 7 ing the solenoid 34 energized, and the ratchet deviceremains inactive, so that the armature 43 will remain down and therebyindicate or produce danger conditions.

- Should the circuit of the magnet 34 be dead,

- trolling stations or when passing a ramp.

by the accidental breaking or short circuiting of the circuit, the leverand pawl 46 remaining down would indicate danger conditions or could beused for producing such conditions, either when moving between con-Uautima. cmzditiom.

When caution'control of the vehicle is wanted, one of the switches 14 isclosed and the other opened. For example, supposing the switch 14 of theramp section 9 is open and the switch 14 of the ramp section 11 isclosed, then'when the shoe 16 moves on the 1 ramp section 9, toward theright as illustrated, the switch 38 is moved off of the contact 39,thereby placing the control of the circuit of the solenoid 34 on the ramdevice, but the corresponding switch 14 ing opened, will break thecircuit between the ramp section 9 and rail 8. The solenoid 34 istherefore deenergized, and the lever 45 and pawl 46 will drop. 'Then,.when the shoe 16 moves on the ramp section 10, the circuit is closed bythe permanent bridge 13, thereby reenergiz' the solenoid 34 and liftingthe lever 45 so t the pawl 46 turns the ratchet wheel 47 one-step.Theshoe 16 in movin on the ram section 11 keeps the circuit o thesolenoi 34 closed by the closed switch 14 of the ramp section 11.Onlyone break of the circuit is thus obtained, and, the

wheel 47 moving onestep, raise the ar-,mature43soastoberetractedtothemagnet .41 after the shoe 16 has left thethe switch 38. is reclosed. The W segme t fi of the wheel inmovingagainst en both switches areclosed, either by a danger sigpawl 46 willdrop the contact 52, will break the circuit of the magnet 32, and theswitch 30 is released,

which willindicate or produce caution conditions, and such condltionswill be maintained through the. block between the con-. trollingstations even though the wheel 47 is restored. In leaving the blockunder caution control, the shoe 16 ridingon the corresponding ramp, willcause the gust or pull of airfrom the tube 27 to raise the vane or cup33 for closing the switch 30, and it will be held against the contact 31by the magnet 32 on account of the reclosing of the circuit through theswitch 30 and contact 52. I The caution control is thus terminated atthe end of theblock, preparatoryfor the succeeding controllingcondition.

Olear conditions.

In clear conditions, both switches 14 must be held open by the'energized magnets 15, for, obtaining two breaks of the circuit of thesolenoid 34. Thus, as in caution conditions, the shoe 16 moving on theramp section 8, will break the circuit between the ramp and rail, andthe shoe 16moving on the ramp section 10 will 'reclpse' the circuit l ofthe solenoid 34.-for adva' ing. the wheel 47 one step, as described uner the caution controlling conditions. When the shoe 16 moves on theramp section 11, the corresponding switch 14 also being open, Wlll breakthe circuit the second time, andithe Then, when the the switch 38 isshoe leaves the ram and reclosed, the solenoi 34 is energized again,

and the pawl 46 is raised for turning the wheel 47 the second step. Inthe meantime,

the armature 43 was raised by the pick-up rod 48 so that the magnet 41being reenergized will support said armature 43, and the wheel 47 beingmoved the second step, will cause the pin 49 to strike and swing t earm58 to close the switch 55. The magnet 32 is therefore energized throughthe shunt controlled by the switch 55, attracted and held until thewheel 47 is restored, in which event the pin 59st'riking the arm 58 willagam open the switch 55, but the contact 52 be in electrical connectionwith the wheel 47 will keep the magnet 32 energized. The vehicle canthus proceed tions without interference. k

Having thus described 'theilivention, what is clavimedhiclas nevzrislt 1. e e con appara us ing a ramp having sections insulated one another,and bridging means for electri- 7 cally connecting] said rampsections-and a rail f the track for the flow of current through the rampand rail, part of the br dgllllg means adapted to be opened 2. Vehiclecontrolling and the switch 30 is against the contact 31 under clearcondiinclud-j I said one another, a section of the ramp track when ing aramp having section simulated from one another, and bridging means forelectrically connecting the ramp sections and a rail of the track forthe flow of current through the ramp and rail, at least one of saidbri(lg' ing means including a controllable switch for opening andclosing the bridge between the corresponding ramp section and rail.

3. Vehicle controlling apparatus including a ramp having end andintermediate sections insulated from one another, the intermediatesection being connected electrically with a rail of the track, and meansfor elecwith and disconnecting them from said rail.

4. Vehicle controlling apparatus including a ramp having end andintermediate sections insulated'from one another, the intermediatesection .being electrical] connected with a rail of the track, switc esfor connecting the end ram sections withsaid rail, and means controllingsaid switches.

5. Vehicle controllin apparatus including a ram a contact s cc to rideover the ram a v icle controlling circuit controlled by t. e shoe toinclude said shoe and a, rail of the track when the shoe is on the ramp,ramp having sections insulated from being in electrical connection withsaid rail for the flow of current through said circuit, and bridginmeans between another ramp section an said rail adapted to be opened andclosed to break or close said circuit accordng y- 6. Vehicle controllinapparatus including a ramp, a contact s to ride over the. ramp, avehicle controlli circuit controlled by the shoe to include sald shoeand a rail of the track when the shoe is riding on the ramp, and meansarranged whereby when the shoe rides over successive portions of theramp said circuit can be broken and closed automatically in succession.

7. Vehicle controlling apparatus including a ramp havi a sectionelectrically connected with a rail of the track and other sectionsinsulated from said section, a contact shoe to ride over said ramp, avehicle controlling circuit arranged to include. said shoe and rail whenthe shoe rides on the ramp, means controlled by said circuitforprogressive operation for different conditions, and switches forconnecting the last named ramp sections with and disconnecting them fromsaid'rail for breaking said circuit one ormore times.

8. Vehicle controlling apparatus includ ing a ramp, a vehiclecontrolling clrcuit to be completed by said ramp and. a rail of thepassi the ramp, and means associated with sai ramp forobtaining theautomatic succwsive breaking and closing of said circuit in successiveportions of the ramp.

with the ramp, the air bein through saidrpassage when' t e shoe rides 9.Vehicle controlling apparatus including a ramp, a vehicle controllingcircuit arranged to include said ramp and a railof I electricallyconnected to said rail, and means for connectmg the other parts of theramp with and disconnecting them from said ra1l for breaking saidcircuit one or more times in passing the ramp. 10. Vehicle controllingapparatus lncluding a ramp, and-a vehicle controlling circult arrangedto include saidramp and a rail of,

the track in passing the ramp, saidramp bein constructed and arranged.for the brea ing of said circuit one or more times 1n passing the ramp.e 11. Vehicle controlling apparatus including a ramp, and a vehiclecontrolling circuit arranged to include said ramp and a railon the trackwhen passing the ramp, said ramp having insulated joints, and bridgingble for obtaining the successive breakingand closing of sai circuit whenpassing the ramp.

12. Vehicle controlling apparatus including a contact shoe to r de over'aramp, a cylinder, a piston WOIklDg 1n the cyhnder and carryingthe'shoe, means for the admission of pressure fluid into said cylinderand for the discharge of the fluid from the .cy1 inder, and acontrolling means arranged to be restored by the discharge of air fromsaid cylinder when the piston is moved by the riding of the shoe on aramp. 1

13. Vehicle controlling apparatus Including a member arranged to bemoved when passing a controlling station,l controlling means adapted toremain in released position, and means constructed and arranged for theproduction of a stream of air when said member is moved, forrestoringsaid controlling means.

14. Vehicle controlling'apparatus lncluding a member arranged to bemoved when passing a controlling, station, controlling means adapted toremain in released POSI- tion and having a vane, and means constructedand arran ed for directing a stream of air against sai vane forrestoring said means, when said'mernber' is moved 1n passing acontrolling statlon. v

15.. Vehicle controlling apparatus including a movable member having acontact shoe toride on a ramp and also havlng a piston, a cylinder inwhich said piston is movable, said member havin a passage for the flowof air into the cylin or to move the piston and shoe for the contact ofthe shoe forced back means between the ramp and rail'controllaing acontact shoe to ride on a ramp, a cylinder having a partition therein, aplston working in the cylinder and carrying" said shoe, a rod extendingfrom the piston through said partition and havinga passage for the flowof pressure fluid into the cylinder between the partition. and pistonand for the discharge of pressure ,fluid from the cylinder, andcontrolling-means adapted to remain in released position and havin avanebeyond said rod whereby the fluid isoharge from the cylinder throughsaid passage is directed toward said vanefor re storin said controllingmeans.

17.- ehicle controlling apparatus including a movable member havmg acontact shoe to ride on a ramp and also having a piston, a, cylinder inwhich the piston is movable, and means for en plyingmair from the airbrake system, sai mem r having an air passage establishing communicationbetween said means and cylinder and said passage extending into the shoefor the discharge of the air to the atmosphere if the shoe is brokenofi.

Intestimony whereof I hereunto afiix my signature. a I

ALFRED L...RUTHVEN.

